The governors spoke when the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu briefed them during the meeting that entered into the early hours of Wednesday on the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1st to 10th that has heightened tension in the country.
On his part, Mallam Ribadu promised to support the governors in improving security architecture at the subnational level.
A Communique from the NGF Chairman and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, stated that the NGF received a briefing from the National Security Adviser’s ,NSA, office on the current security situation in the country, noting that the growing momentum for a planned protest demanding government attention.
Earlier at the meeting, Local Government Autonomy topped the agenda, but in the end, the governors did not mention any decision taken on the Supreme Court ruling on the autonomy of the 774 local Governments in the country.
The communique was silent about the Governors’ position and discussion on deferment of the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on LGA autonomy, rather it read that the Governors pledged support for NBA and AGFs of the 36 States, adding that they received a briefing from the body of Attorneys General of the 36 states on the Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of local governments.
The governors started arriving for the meeting at 9 pm at the National Secretariat of the forum, Maitama, Abuja on Wednesday and it ended at past 2 am today
According to the agenda which was sighted, the issue of Local Government Autonomy came under Matters arising and briefing by the Chairman of the forum and Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.
Recall that the Supreme Court had on 11th July barred the 36 governors of the federation from further retaining or utilizing funds that are meant for the 774 Local Government Areas, LGAs, in the country.
The apex court had ruled that it is illegal and unconstitutional for governors to continue to receive and seize funds allocated to LGAs in their states.
At the meeting were Governors of Abia, Kogi, Anambra, Delta, Plateau, Yobe, Imo, Benue, Cross River, Ondo, Zamfara, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Kano, Kwara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kogi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Oyo, Ogun and Gombe. Also were Deputy Governors of Enugu, Borno State.